Zürich
Hmm, where to start? The wine bar? The margarita bar? The gin bar? Whichever poison you choose, this wildly popular focal point of Zürich's summer…
Must-see nightlife in Switzerland
Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura
Sip absinthe or cocktails with names like Bambi Alien Blood at this insanely trippy cafe-by-day/bar for a few hours, kitted out in the style of theHR…
Zürich
Secluded behind a fence along the Sihl River, this bar at the Männerbad public baths is one of Zürich's most inviting open-air drinking spots. Its vast…
Lausanne
Occupying four arches of Lausanne’s magnificent Grand Pont (built between 1839 and 1940) above Place de l’Europe, this is the perfect port of call for…
Geneva
Get in quick to enjoy the 'Village of the Night', which has a five-year lease (from 2017) to repurpose an industrial site by Geneva Stadium. Until they're…
Vevey
This bar-and-burger joint looks more like a British pub than anything else, and the crowd that mills around it smiling all day certainly adds to that…
Geneva
No bar begs the question 'what's in the name?' more than this buzzy drinking hole. Urban and edgy, it occupies a mechanic's workshop once owned by Yvette…
Bern
Starting as a restaurant where businesspeople come for light, healthy lunches, this award-winning venue morphs by evening into a bar recognised around…
Geneva
Few terraces are as dreamy as this. Moored permanently by the quay near Jet d'Eau, this fabulous belle époque paddle steamer, with flower boxes adorning…
Lausanne
Everyone knows the Great Escape, a busy student pub with pub grub (great burgers) and an enviable terrace with a view over Pl de la Riponne. From the…
Basel
East from the SBB Bahnhof along the railway tracks, this rooftop bar draws crowds all week to its sun-drenched terrace. On weekends it morphs into a club,…
Zürich
This atmospheric backstreet bar boasts more than 1600 rare spirits, with a particular focus on whiskies handpicked from the owner’s personal collection…
Bernese Oberland
There's a pinch of magic in the mixology at this award-winning cocktail bar, which is way up there with Switzerland's best. Antique furnishings, low…
Zürich
Zürich seems unfathomably tiny from the heights of this backlit, glass-fronted lounge bar on the 35th floor of the Prime Tower in the happening 5th…
Zürich
Electronic music creates the buzz at this artsy, alternative club (cover Sfr35) adjacent to Frau Gerolds Garten in Kreis 5. Enter through an alley strung…
Zermatt
Last one down to this snowbound ‘chicken run’ is a rotten egg. Hennu is the wildest après-ski shack on Klein Matterhorn, located below Fri on the way to…
Geneva
Waving the flag as Switzerland’s first crowdfunded bistro-bar, petite Ta Cave is an utterly chilled, cosy and highly sociable hang-out for a glass of…
Zürich
The Frauenbad public bath (only open to women during the day) opens its doors to some refreshing nocturnal bar action. Up to 150 men are allowed into the…
Lucerne
Packed and unpretentious, head to Déjà-vu for reasonable prices and a top night out. Somewhat limited menu, but if you're after pizza, nachos and a beer…
Zürich
Run by the barista champions of Switzerland, Mame serves some of the best brews in town. The stylish coffee shop is decorated in a minimalist Japanese…
Valais
A legend in its own right, this swanky club beneath the Nevaï hotel has rocked since 1971. Look gorgeous to slip past the velvet rope and mingle with…
Lausanne
Every bit as flamboyant as a parrot (perroquet), with its exotic wallpaper, jungle paintings, marble-topped tables and antique velvet sofas, Le Perroquet…
Lugano
Partygoers flock to this cool summertime beach lounge for DJ beats, drinks, snacks and flirting by the lakefront. It's right next to Lugano's lido if you…
Interlaken
Some 50 different craft beers from around the world – Trappist brews to Swiss IPAs – keep the punters happy at Hüsi's. It also rolls out tasty pub grub …
Graubünden
Perched at 2560m at the top of Jakobshorn, this is Davos' wackiest après-ski joint. Those who dare to partially bare can soak in a 39°C (102.2°F)…
Ticino
For one of the top craft beers in town, swing across to this hip new urban microbrewery. Sip hoppy amber ales, zesty IPAs and malty bitters in the…
Lausanne
Make for this barista-run cafe for the perfect cup of joe, be it an espresso, lungo or cold brew. Dream duo and self-confessed caffeine-heads Davide and…
Northeastern Switzerland
Tune into the local live-music and cultural scene at this textile factory turned arts centre. The line-up swings from blues, rock and jam sessions to…
Lucerne
Sip home-brewed beer under the vaulted arches of this buzzy tavern near Kapellbrücke, or nab a pavement table and watch the river flow. You know this…
Central Switzerland
Engelberg’s après-ski heavyweight is this lively joint opposite the train station. Mega-burgers, fajitas, quesadillas, Thai curries and caipirinhas fuel…
Grindelwald
This is a young ‘n’ fun place to kick back on a leather pouffe with a post-ski schnapps or to people-watch on the terrace in summer. There's occasional…
Valais
In winter, this après-ski heavyweight near the Médran cable car station apparently sells the most beer in Switzerland. Its shots and shakers are equally…
Interlaken
Taking you through from coffee to cocktails, this cafe-lounge is a nicely chilled spot, with occasional live music. The bagels, paninis and wraps are…
Graubünden
The favourite hang-out of freestyle dudes, this too-cool bar in the lobby of the eponymous hostel rocks to gigs and DJs spinning beats into the blurry…
Valais
Near the river, this wooden hut with bar stools to squat on outside is high-energy people-watching terrain. Full-on après-ski fun until the wee hours.
Chur
The bottle-top window is a shrine to beer at this chilled haunt in the Old Town, where locals spill outside to socialise and guzzle one of 140 brews.
St Moritz
Snow bums fill the terrace of this après-ski joint at Hauser's Hotel. Hip-hop, techno and hot chocolate laced with rum fuel the party.
Valais
The legendary Ziggy's can take care of all your evening drinking requirements in Champéry. There's occasional live music and comedy.
St Moritz
This friendly English-style watering hole serves 20 different international brews and is one of the few places open year-round.
Zürich
With photos, paintings and postcards adorning all the walls and a huge skeleton hanging from the ceiling, you could spend hours poring over the decor at…
